Environment and roads

Planning Enforcement

The County Development Unit at County Hall includes a team of three Monitoring & Enforcement Officers who are dedicated to monitoring compliance with planning permissions granted by the County Council, and investigating alleged breaches of planning control in respect of minerals operations, landfill/waste operations or the County Council's own developments.

Alleged breaches of planning control, or "complaints" are brought to the attention of the Monitoring & Enforcement Officers both through site visits and, importantly, by reports from members of the public. Complaints can be made by letter, telephone or via e-mail. It is helpful if the complainant can include their name and address so that an update can be provided by Officers, and such information is confidential. Alternatively, the public can raise a complaint via their County Councillor.

Upon receipt of a complaint we aim to visit the site and/or commence an investigation into the matter within 10 days, although it may take significantly longer to resolve complicated issues. Serious breaches of planning control usually result in immediate action being taken, although less serious issues we try to resolve through negotiation with the person responsible for the breach. However if this proves to be unsuccessful, or if the breach continues, formal notices can still be issued to secure compliance. If the notices are not complied with, the matter can be taken to court and a fine imposed on conviction.

The team regularly liaise with Officers at the Environment Agency, Environmental Health and with the District Council Enforcement Officers to ensure that the most appropriate and timely action can be taken to resolve complaints.

The Monitoring & Enforcement Team can be contacted on 01992 556224 or via e-mail at cdu@hertscc.gov.uk

There is a publication available from the County Development Unit titled 'Standards, and Codes of Practice for Development Control Enforcement' which gives more details, although this is currently being updated to include recent changes in legislation.

Related links:-
www.hertsdirect.org/jobs/specialist/plannersandengineers/planning/enforcementofficer/